Manchester United believe they can hand Ruben Amorim a £200million war chest this summer by cashing in on players he is prepared to sacrifice to finance an Old Trafford rebuild. As many as NINE members of Amorim’s first-team squad could depart the club in a bid to give the Portuguese a blank canvas after another season of struggle in the Premier League.
And as well as raising finance through incoming transfer fees, United’s money-men reckon they would also save up to £80million-a-year on wages.
United are looking to ditch on-loan quartet:
The Reds are also ready to listen to offers for Casemiro, Andre Onana and Alejandro Garnacho, while Kobbie Mainoo’s future remains in doubt over the club’s failure to meet his wage demands to sign a new contract.
Both Casemiro and Onana are expected to generate further interest from the Saudi Pro League and could raise £20million apiece.
While £50million-rated Garnacho is once again on Napoli’s radar and Chelsea are monitoring Mainoo’s situation.
With Christian Eriksen set to depart when his contract expires in the summer, United are looking to back Amorim to the hilt by moulding the squad to fit his playing philosophy.
A club insider said: “It may be a case of swallowing big losses on what was paid for Sancho, Antony, Casemiro and Onana, but there is an acceptance that the manager must be given the players he needs to make his system work.
“Off-loading some of the biggest earners at the club will also create some wriggle room for the necessary rebuild.”
Rashford and Casemiro both bank in excess of £325,000-a-week, while Sancho is on £250,000-a-week, Antony and Eriksen pull £150,000-a-week and Onana is on £120,000-a-week.
Co-owner Sir Jim Radcliffe believes getting United’s annual £172million wage bill under control is vital for the long-term health of the club.
The Reds hope that Rashford’s resurrection at Aston Villa will either lead to the midlands club meeting their £50million valuation or flush out interest from elsewhere for a player who is back in the England squad.
Real Betis have had an offer to extend Antony’s loan deal by a further 12 months rebuffed – but the Brazilian winger has sparkled under former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini and the Spanish club may have the funds to make his move permanent if their excellent form translates into qualification for the Champions League.
Chelsea have the option to either buy Sancho for £30million after taking the former England winger on loan for the season – or pay £5million in compensation to get out of the agreement. Either way, Sancho has no future in Manchester – and former club Borussia Dortmund are watching developments. Malacia, on-loan at PSV Eindhoven, is also up for sale.
It’s unlikely that United will countenance the sale of both Garnacho and Mainoo at the same time. But Profit and Sustainability Rules mean they would get maximum value from allowing one more homegrown player to leave alongside Rashford.
Napoli were prepared to pay £35million for the 20-year-old in January and retain a strong interest. Garnacho has lost his place in Argentina’s squad and and may view a move to serie A as the best way to boost his chances of going to the World Cup given Napoli are currently fighting for the title and are on course to qualify for the Champions League.
Stockport-born Mainoo, 19, became a fans’ favourite when he broke through last season to score the winning goal in the FA Cup final before starring for England at the Euros. He has suffered with injuries this season, but if an agreement over a new contract doesn’t materialise then that would tempt United to cash in on Chelsea’s interest.
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